Opting-Out of the Gmail/Google+ email crossover

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This week (Thursday 9 January 2014) Google rolled out a Gmail/google+ cross-platform function that will allow you to send email to people despite not having their email address.  The trick is that Google+ has up to date contact information, and so Gmail will “helpfully” send the email for you.

Concerns have been  (and should be) raised – about the project itself, and about the decision on Google’s part to create this with a default setting that allows everyone on Google+ access to the information, although users can restrict the circles of information to which this applies or opt-out entirely.

There is a quick way to opt-out:

  1. Open Gmail on a computer.
  2. Click the gear in the top right corner
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Scroll down through the General tab to the Email via Google+ section
  5. Click the drop-down menu and choose Anyone on Google+, Extended circles, Circles or No one.
  6. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.